Air conditioning in Southwark: what you can install and what the grant covers
Southwark runs from Borough Market's medieval streets to Dulwich Village's Georgian ones, with some of London's largest estate blocks in between — and nearly 18% of its households heat with electricity only, the second-highest rate in this guide. That's the heating the government's £2,500 air-to-air heat pump grant is designed to replace, with a wall-mounted unit that cools in summer too.
See if the £2,500 grant applies to your home — five questions.
Check my eligibilityDo you need planning permission in Southwark?
Houses outside conservation areas usually don't need it for an air-to-air heat pump: one unit, under 1.5 m³, meeting the MCS noise standard (Southwark's renewables guidance points to the same MCS planning standards), not above ground-floor level on a street-facing wall.
Cooling-only air conditioning does not qualify for the national heat-pump permitted-development route, so check the specific proposal with Southwark. Southwark's terraced streets in Peckham, Camberwell and Bermondsey may qualify for the permitted-development route with a rear placement if every condition is met.
Conservation areas in Southwark
Southwark counts 48 conservation areas, including Dulwich Village, Bermondsey Street, Borough High Street and Camberwell Grove, plus about 2,200 listed buildings — Southwark Cathedral and the George Inn among them.
The council's guidance is specific here: in a conservation area the unit must not be visible from the public highway. Rear gardens and internal courtyards are the standard answer; listed buildings need listed building consent on top.
Flats and leaseholds
Around 77% of Southwark households are in flats, and nearly two-thirds of all homes are in purpose-built blocks — the borough's big estates plus the new towers at Elephant and Castle and along the river.
Ex-council leaseholders route consent through the council's home ownership team; new blocks through the managing agent. A block of flats can use the national permitted-development route if every Class G limit and condition is met; check the exact proposal with Southwark. Homes on communal or district heat networks need an installer assessment before a grant application.
The £2,500 grant in Southwark
More than 23,000 Southwark households heat with electricity only — storage heaters and panel radiators across the borough's estates.
The £2,500 air-to-air grant can apply to an eligible residential installation replacing either fossil-fuel or non-heat-pump electric heating. These electric-heated homes can be good candidates, but gas-boiler homes are not excluded on heating type alone. Homes on communal or district heat networks need an installer assessment. Your MCS-certified installer applies through Ofgem and takes £2,500 off the price — there's no form for you.
See if the £2,500 grant applies to your home — five questions.
Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for air conditioning in Southwark?
An air-to-air heat pump may be permitted development for a house or block of flats only if every national limit, local restriction and site condition is met. A cooling-only unit does not qualify for this heat-pump route. Check the exact proposal with Southwark and obtain any required freeholder consent.
Can I install air con in a Southwark conservation area?
Usually yes, as long as the unit isn't visible from the public highway — Southwark's own guidance uses exactly that test. Rear gardens and courtyards are the standard placements in areas like Camberwell Grove and Bermondsey Street.
Can flats in Southwark get the £2,500 grant?
Possibly. The £2,500 air-to-air grant can apply to an eligible residential installation replacing fossil-fuel or non-heat-pump electric heating. The property owner and installer must confirm the other scheme conditions. Homes on communal heat networks need an installer assessment.
Who applies for the grant?
Your MCS-certified installer applies to Ofgem on your behalf and deducts £2,500 from your quote. You never fill in a government form.
Nearby
Useful links
SOURCES
Southwark conservation areas page
Southwark renewables planning guidance
ONS Census 2021 (E09000028)
legislation.gov.uk GPDO Part 14 Class G
Local information is indicative. Confirm planning and costs with an MCS-certified installer for your address, and check the current Ofgem guidance for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.